The CYD (Cyber‑Defence) Doctoral Fellowships 2025 offer fully funded PhD opportunities in Switzerland, hosted at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) and affiliated institutions. This programme supports interdisciplinary research at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, data science, and information security.
Fellows will be based at the CYD Campus and supervised by a Swiss university professor, conducting advanced research over a four‑year PhD period (with a possible one‑year extension). The programme is designed to strengthen Switzerland’s cyber‑defence capabilities by fostering next-generation experts.
This programme is part of Switzerland’s national strategy to reinforce its digital ecosystem and cyber‑defence readiness. Fellows contribute to projects of significant practical application under a mentorship model that bridges academia, industry, and government.
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Host country
Switzerland
Application Timeline
Research Service: Submission deadline: 29 August 2025
Stage 1 Submission: 20 August 2025 (17:00 CEST)
Stage 1 Mentor Interviews: September 2025
Stage 2 Full Proposal Due: 1 October 2025 (17:00 CEST)
Final Award Announced: Late November 2025
Who can apply for the 2025 CYD Doctoral Fellowships
- Applicants of any nationality
- All academic ages and backgrounds welcome
- Must be (or plan to) enrol in a PhD programme at a Swiss higher‑education institution
- Must secure endorsement from a supervising professor in Switzerland
- PhD candidates at any stage are eligible; preference given to those at the start of their PhD journey
What the CYD Doctoral Fellowship Offers
- Funding Duration: 4 years, with a potential 1-year extension
- Salary Contribution: Full doctoral stipend, including social security, aligned with Swiss scales
- Research Budget: CHF 3,000 per year for research-related expenses
- Conference Allowance: CHF 5,000 annually to support travel and participation
- Institutional Support: Administrative resources, mentoring, networking, and access to Swiss academic systems
Research fields of interest
- Cyber-defence and cybersecurity
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Data science and analytics
- Information security technologies
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Benefits
- Secure financial support and stable PhD funding
- Access to interdisciplinary mentorship and Swiss research facilities
- Ability to present findings at international conferences
- Opportunity to join Switzerland’s high-impact cyber‑defence research community
How to Apply for the CYD Doctoral Fellowships
- Visit the official CYD Doctoral Fellowship page: https://www.usi.ch/en/feeds/32243
- Submit a short Stage 1 application by 20 August 2025 (17:00 CEST)
- Attend a mentor interview in September 2025 if shortlisted
- Submit the full Stage 2 research proposal by 1 October 2025 (17:00 CEST)
- Await final announcement in late November 2025
APPLY FOR THE CYD DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS
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